NEW DELHI, India — If the shoe fits, throw it, or so many people in India seem to believe these days.

Taking a cue from Iraqi journalist Muntather Zaidi, who earned a year in jail for his “real- time editorializing” after hurling both of his shoes at then-President George W. Bush, India has witnessed a flurry of flying footwear in recent weeks.

These missiles of malcontent have left politicians on edge and prompted inquiring minds to ponder: Why can’t journalists aim better? Do they get their shoes back?

“It’s become an epidemic,” said Ashis Nandy, a political psychologist.

First was reporter Jarnail Singh, who got into a heated exchange with Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram this month and launched his size-9 Reebok sneaker at the minister but missed.

A few days later, a 64-year-old retired school principal threw a shoe at a Congress Party lawmaker during an election rally, followed Thursday by a slipper attack on an opposition candidate for prime minister by a member of his party.